The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-11-17

Anarchism in America dates from about
1882 and its followers were landed in this
country during the heavy immigration from
1855 to about 1882, when the highest figures
were reached-733, 1902 Although immigra-
ton has been steady since, yet those figures
England and Ireland fell off, while
the people from southern Ger
many, together with Poles, Bohemians,
Hungarians and Russians came in hordes
They centred around Chicago. Their chief
idea seemed to be that all capital produced
by labor should be common property. There
were 80 of these associations in this country
In 1885, located principally in the largest
manufacturing cities. 1t was a well-organ-
lied order, governed by central committee.
The trouble which led to the sad occur
renceof May 4. 1885, had its direct origin in
the strike in the Mccormick reaper works
On May 3, August Spies delivered a fierce
speech against the no ,!-union men still in the
works, which caused conflict between the
"scabs" and strikers, the former aided
by, the police. Several were killed
and many wounded. On this
Spies wrote his revenge circular.
There was rioting all day of the fourth and
in the evening 1000 people listened to the
anarchist speeches. Here Fielder let loose
the torrents of his wrath and, as The trial dis
closed, used the words, "Arm. Arm! and
throttle the law!" One hund, ed and seventy
five policemen were on hand to preserve
on the order of Captain Ward, when all
at once an explosion occurred between
two companies of the police. A binding
flash and terrific report followed-then yells
and shots. Two companies of police were
felled to the ground, ons policeman instantly
killed, six mortally wounded, and 60 more or
less injured. The police rallied, followed the
were soon cleared. Chicago contributed S70,-
600 for the relief of tho families of the dead
and wounded policemen.
Such dreadful consequences demanded q
reckoning. The leaders were arrested, tried,
and condemned. The whole world has been,
and is still agitated over it and the con-
demned men have been held up
and by others declared as deserving OF
their fate After passing through all the
courts not even excepting the Supreme Court
of the United States, where it received care
full consideration the decree of death was
still maintained; and it was left to the execu.
tive of Illinois, Governor Oglesby, on whom
the last hope for help depended, to continue
the mandates of the tribunals of the land.
Perhaps on no set OF persons was there
ever so much interest centred. Every civ.
ilized nation Of the world had among its
citizens those who svmpathized with or con.
demne1 the principles promulgated by the
Anarchists Consequently the press gave ut
terance to ali kinds of opinions for and
against both the principles and their expo
nents. As result the subjects of Socialism
and Anarchism, Nihilism and all the social
questions have been before the world for
daily discussion, tending to inlame or ap-
pease, las the case might be. In consequence Of
more or less support received the Anarchists
felt that to maintain their beliefs to the end
was safe and right course. They were
then declared "heroes and martyrs" and
great and dreadful things were threatened
by some, and peace and order assured by
Others if they were executed. These are yet
to he demonstrated
On August 20 Spies, Parsons. Fielden,
Schwab, Lingg, Engel, Fischer and Neebe were
found guilty Of murder After the verdict
had been rendered, the counsel for the con-
demned men endeavored to secure a new
trial, but this was denied on Oct. Z, and on
Oct. 9. Spies Parsons. Fielden. Schw ab
Ljngg, Engel and Fischer were sentenced to
be hanged on Dec. 3, and Neebe to imprison-
ment for IA years. On Nov. % stay Of
execution was granted pending an appeal 10
the supreme court of the state, which af-
firmed the verdict and sentenced the prison
ers to be hanged on Nov IL, 1857.